For A Wild Time, Check Out Tampa Zoo

TRIP TIPS

June 6, 2004

Animal lovers can observe zebras, giraffes, antelope, warthogs, cranes, elephants and other species native to the Dark Continent at the Lowry Park Zoo's new "Safari Africa" animal habitat.

Visitors to the Tampa attraction will be able to tour savanna and rain-forest landscapes by foot, truck or boat on guided safaris through the 6-acre exhibit, which also features an outdoor market with African-themed merchandise, an overlook area for giraffe feeding and the "Camel Safari" ride.

Admission to the zoo, which was recently named the No. 1 zoo in the United States for kids by Child Magazine, is $11.50 for adults, $10.50 for seniors ages 50 and older, $7.95 for children ages 3 to11, and free for children ages 2 and younger.

For more information, call 813-935-8552, or visit lowryparkzoo.com.

JUST LIKE ON TV

Fans of ABC's reality series The Bachelor can vacation like Jesse Palmer on Kamalame Cay, a 96-acre private island resort off the coast of Andros Island in the Bahamas, with the "Dream Date" package.

The all-inclusive plan mimics what the New York Giants quarterback and his suitor, Jessica Bowlin, experienced during a fantasy date on the television program. Five or seven nights lodging in the Pigeon Plum Villa Suite, champagne, red roses, a private dinner for two on the beach, butler service, all meals and recreation, and round-trip airfare from Nassau to Andros Island are included for rates beginning at $5,580.

For more information, call 242-368-6281, or visit www.kamalame .com.

TIPS ON TIPPING

Leaving the appropriate gratuity can be a puzzle for even the most seasoned traveler. The Itty Bitty Guide to Tipping (Chronicle Books, $6.95) offers advice for how to show your appreciation for a wide variety of services, from a casino dealer to a tattoo artist, without offending anyone.

Authors Stacie Krajchir and Carrie Rosten consulted experts in several industries and compiled their results in a convenient, pocket-sized booklet that includes guidelines for tipping abroad and a percentage conversion chart.

MORE TRAIN TRAVEL

Rail Europe is celebrating the addition of 10 former Eastern bloc countries to the European Union with rail passes for unlimited travel in the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.

Prices range from $40 for the Prague Excursion Pass, good for a round-trip from any point on the border of the Czech Republic to Prague, to $225 for the European East Pass, which can be used for five days in a 30-day period throughout the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and Austria.

For more information, call 1-888-382-7245, or visit raileurope.com.

HAVE A SEAT, PLEASE

Frequent fliers can get a preview of the premium-class comfort that's available on international airlines at flatseats.com. The site showcases convertible sleep seating on a variety of airlines, including United Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, U.S. Airways, Qantas and All Nippon Airways.